A Summer Together (You make me feel like I'm alive again) [SOUKOKU]

EXILE

July 27th 2002

"Osamu. Your grades are slipping, your behaviour has just gotten worse and worse every time I talk to you about it. I feel like I've really failed as a mother."

"Because you have."

"Don't get cocky with me! You've been doing drugs, vandalising public property, stealing from shops... I almost hate myself for raising someone like this. I can't even look at you! Are you really my son, or are you just some horrible nightmare that the devil has replaced you with!?"

"Tch, whatever." Dazai pretended those words didn't sting.

"I'm sending you away for the rest of the summer. Maybe that'll fix you."

"What?! You can't do that. I've got things to do, unlike you."

"It doesn't matter, it's already decided. You better go pack your things unless you want to go empty handed."

"I hate you! You're the worst mother anyone could ever fucking have!"

That's what he wanted to say, but nothing came out of his mouth and he found himself complying to her word. Packing his few items that he intended to bring with him.

It didn't really matter anyway. It's not like they were ever close in the first place. She would always be away for some sort of work related issues and they never talked anyway.

Dazai hauls his suitcase into the back of an expensive limo.

"Guess this is goodbye then." He says dryly to his driver. He was closer to him than his mother anyway.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------

Chuuya pokes at his food with a fork. The sky is a mixture of oranges and purples as the sun sets.

He looks outside to see the fields basking in the afterglow of the sunset.

"Chuuya, stop messing around with your food before it gets cold."

His dinner is the same as usual, rice with some assortment of vegetables. The atmosphere is tenser than usual, probably due to the fight they had earlier.

Having graduated high school, he had set his sights on the city. The city life, bustling lights, more than one person outside of his family that he could talk to... His grades had been improving lately, with him now being one of the top in his school.

His parents, however, had objected time after time, wanting him to stay on the farm.

"What do you want from me!? I've been getting straight A+s this entire school year. All of my teachers say I should leave for the city, and you guys manage the farm just fine. Why can't I live life like all the other kids?"

With summer starting soon, he had thought he could change their minds, but it only resulted in a huge fight.

It's been a few days but he had refused to apologise, and they hadn't talked much after that.

The awkward scrapings of utensils fill the room while his mother seems to be pondering on whether to say something or not.

"Chuuya, I know things have not been the...best between us, but I just want you to know that this is the best option for all of us."

Chuuya doesn't look up from his plate, rolling his eyes. He takes a deep breath before lifting his head.

"Best option? The hell are you talking about? You just want to drag me down with you because you can't leave the farm!"